FOLKETINGET – THE DANISH PARLIAMENT

ills and proposals for
parliamentary resolution
After the first reading of a Bill in the Chamber, the
Bill is referred to a committee. The 25 standing
committees read approximately 250 Bills and 200
proposals for parliamentary resolution each year.
Members of the committee in question examine
the proposal and put questions to the Minister
within whose sphere of competence the proposal
comes. The questions are put in writing and
therefore require a written reply. The committee
may also ask a Minister to appear in the committee
in order to answer questions orally in a
consultation. Approximately 9.000 questions are
put every year and approximately 13.000 committee
papers are distributed every year.
reports and accounts
When a committee has finished dealing with a Bill,
it submits a report. The report can comprise the
following items:
• Recommendations of the parties
• Amendments to the Bill concerned
• Statements by the parties explaining their
attitude to the Bill and to the amendments
• A description of the committee’s work on the Bill
• A list of enquiries about the Bill.
If committee material exists which is of special
interest, the committee may have it printed in the
form of annexes to the report. Instead of submitting
a report, the committee can submit an
account on the Bill, in case there is no wish to deal
further with the Bill in the Chamber. A Bill becomes
void if the Folketing has not finished dealing with
it before the parliamentary year comes to an end.
When the committee has submitted a report, the
Bill is subjected to its second reading in the
Chamber. Subsequently, the amendments are put
to the vote. Then the Bill either passes on directly
to the third reading or if a Member requests it, it is
once more referred to the committee. The committee
can then submit a supplementary report on the
Bill or a so-called oral recommendation in the
Chamber.
commITTees – workshoPs oF The ParlIamenT
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